Tag: patience

So we have joined the puppy bandwagon. After listening to the pleas and a 30 minute power point – yes you read correct – aimed at convincing us to say yes to a new family member – we finally caved.

Say hello to Scout. Cute to look at and puppy like in every. single. way. The interesting thing about introducing a pup into the family – is the ”not yet trained” part. The kids especially my youngest cannot understand why the pup is not sitting when asked, not shaking hands or even listening to when her name is called. All of these things and more need to be learnt. We as humans need to learn things, we begin learning the minute we are born. Our brains are so incredible. Trying to explain to the kids, how the pup is untrained, and unknowing has been an interesting process. These conversations have been met especially by our youngest with questions like “why not”, “how can I teach her” and her simply repeating herself until the pup loses interest and runs off…

How many times in our lives have we come across people ahem others, who are ‘untrained’ or not trained yet like my pup? (Rest assured she is going to puppy school!) When we come across those in our lives who don’t know what they don’t know – how do we treat them? How do we perceive them? Do we give them grace, the same way we give an untrained pup? Do we use patience and care to teach them, show them, mentor them, encourage them?

So here lies the challenge – we all have areas in our lives that we don’t know what we don’t know… How will we respond to those who show us our blind spots – the areas we need to improve ( be trained in)? Likewise how will we treat those who like us, have blind spots? The answer I dare say is with kindness, grace and a whole lot of patience.

What are your thoughts on this?